The kinetics of interleukin 1 and prostaglandin concentrations in human amniotic fluid
Tsunoda, H.; Miyakawa, S.; Onozaki, K.; Iwasaki, H.
Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 43(1): 13-18
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9165 PMID: 1997611 Document Number: 371321
In order to understand the role of interleukin 1 (IL-1) in human amniotic fluid (AF), the amount of IL-1 in normal human AF at various gestational ages was measured using ELISA. Materials were divided into three groups based on gestational ages. Group 1, < 22 weeks (n = 16), consisted of AF samples which were collected by amniocentesis. Group 2, .gtoreq. 36 weeks (n = 54), consisted of AF samples collected transvaginally at delivery. Group 3, .gtoreq. 36 weeks (n = 9), transabdominally collected AF samples from elective cesarean section without labor. IL-1.alpha. was present in AF of early gestational age in group 1 and appeared to increase with gestational age in group 3. In contrast, IL-1.beta. was not detectable in either group 1 or 3. However, the concentration of IL-1 in group 2 was extremely high (IL-1.alpha. 201.0 .+-. 299.3 pg/ml, IL-1.beta. 1,024.1 .+-. 1,321.9 pg/ml) when compared to the other groups. Moreover, the IL-1.alpha. and IL-1.beta. concentrations correlated with those of prostaglandin E2 and F2.alpha. in AF, measured by RIA. These findings suggest that IL-1 has an important role during pregnancy and during labor in particular.